Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the commander of the country’s air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, in the wake of the crash of an F-16 warplane during a Russian bombardment that resulted in the death of the pilot. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to protect personnel and strengthen the army at the command level. Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the acting air force commander.
The dismissal came after Oleshchuk criticized a lawmaker for claiming that the F-16 was downed by a Patriot air-defense system. The air force did not directly refute this claim, and US experts have joined the investigation into the crash, which does not appear to be the result of Russian fire.
The crash of the F-16 occurred during a major missile and drone barrage by Russia, prompting a detailed analysis to determine the cause. This is the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine, where at least six of these planes have been delivered by European countries. While the F-16s may not be a game-changer in the war against Russia, they provide an opportunity to strike back at Russia’s air superiority.
Overall, the dismissal of Oleshchuk and the investigation into the crash of the F-16 highlight the challenges faced by Ukraine in defending against Russian aggression and the importance of protecting military personnel. The incident underscores the complexities of the conflict and the need for transparency and accountability in addressing military operations and equipment failures.
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